Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
02/15/2021 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB19 | |
| SJR8 | |
| SB42 | |
| SB8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 42 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SJR 8-COMPLETION OF UNIVERSITY LAND GRANT
9:09:51 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Urging the Alaska
delegation in Congress, the United States Department of the
Interior, and the Governor to facilitate the completion of a
land grant endowment to the University of Alaska.
He stated his intent to introduce the bill, hear invited
testimony and public testimony and move the resolution to the
next committee of referral. He asked the resolution sponsor
Senator Stevens to introduce the resolution.
9:10:20 AM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, speaking as sponsor, explained that SJR 8
asks the governor, the congressional delegation, and the
Department of Interior to work together to complete the federal
land grant endowment to the University of Alaska (UA). UA
currently has one of the smallest holdings of all land grant
institutions. The passage of this resolution will show strong
support from the legislature to remedy UA's long-standing land
grant deficit. He asked Mr. Lamkin to explain the details of SJR
8.
9:10:56 AM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said the land grant status for UA
has an interesting, if not underwhelming, history. It has been
going on for the past century. The committee may note some
incongruities in the way the "WHEREASES" in the resolution are
structured, but the legislature could make any changes that
might be necessary. He suggested that may be appropriate in the
Resources Committee. This resolution is in alignment with the
Board of Regents' resolution supporting this effort. The
governor and congressional delegation are also aligned with this
resolution. This sends Congress a message that the state is in
support of finding a resolution to what is considered the
university's land deficit.
9:12:27 AM
CHAD HUTCHINSON, Director of State Relations, University of
Alaska (UA), Fairbanks, Alaska, said the University of Alaska
system supports SJR 8 as it has historically done with similar
resolutions in the past. He noted that Andy Harrington, the
attorney for the UA system, was available to answer questions.
He has submitted a PowerPoint presentation to the committee that
gives the background of the land grant issue. The Board of
Regents recently passed a resolution supporting the land grant.
The university is working with the congressional delegation, so
the federal government and the state are working together to
ensure that the university receives its additional land grant
entitlement.
9:14:33 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE shared that he had been looking at the
presentation. He asked if the resolution is correct on the total
acreage.
MR. HUTCHINSON deferred to Mr. Harrington.
9:15:13 AM
ANDY HARRINGTON, Associate General Counsel, University of
Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, replied the university's estimate is
that the land grant gap is 360,000 acres. That is what the
university has been asking the federal delegation to specify in
the bill.
SENATOR MICCICHE recalled that he saw 103,000 from the Land
Grant College Act plus 250,000 from HB 130 in the 24th
Legislature, which totals 353,000 acres.
CHAIR HOLLAND asked about the total acreage.
MR. HARRINGTON answered the calculation is based on the fact
that 90,000 acres should have come with the Morrill Act of 1862
and another 270,000 acres that was unrealized under the
Wickersham Act of 1915. He said he could provide more details,
but those are the basics.
SENATOR MICCICHE said the resolution might be cross referenced
to make sure the numbers are right. The senators will have
another opportunity to look at that in another committee.
9:17:20 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked if the Board of Regents resolution was
unanimous.
MR. HUTCHINSON offered his understanding that it was unanimous.
MR. HARRINGTON agreed.
9:18:03 AM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that page 6 of the slide presentation
indicates that the University of Texas received 2.1 million
acres. She asked why UA got such a small chunk compared to the
University of Texas considering the size of Alaska.
MR. HUTCHINSON replied that it is a matter of American history.
Texas in 1867 was more of a frontier and trying to attract
people. Alaska did not become a state until 1959. It is the
evolution of American history of people moving west post 1830s.
SENATOR HUGHES shared that it just doesn't seem fair, especially
since Alaska is 2.5 times the size of Texas. She asked what it
would mean for revenue for the university if it were to receive
the remaining acreage.
MR. HUTCHINSON responded that it depends on the ultimate land
selection. A working group is focusing on specific land
selection. Historically, there has been good revenue generated
from leases. There are a plethora of resources. It depends on
the ultimate acreage chosen.
9:20:50 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked if there are competing interests for the
land since there have been struggles with land grants since
statehood. He asked how the university intends to go through the
process of selecting lands to avoid litigation.
MR. HUTCHINSON replied there are many competing interests and
litigation does occur. It may have to be settled via judicial
process.
SENATOR BEGICH said he was a legislative staff member when the
court said the legislature had to settle the mental health lands
claims trust. It took the legislature years to settle that. He
asked if the university has done anything about that because
there will be competing claims. He assumes there is an ongoing
process to ensure a minimum of litigation.
MR. HUTCHINSON said the working group discussion revolves around
what land selection to make. Once there is an idea of the land
selection then the outreach will commence to the relevant
people. There is mental preparation for that. There are many
lessons learned from the historical record with the land grant
issue. There will be a more definitive answer once there is
clarity about what the acreage will be.
9:23:59 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on SJR 8; finding none, he
closed public testimony on SJR 8.
9:24:27 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said the goal is to make UA as self-sufficient
as possible so that it takes less from general funds. Senator
Hughes made an interesting point in comparing Texas to Alaska.
Texas has generated $21.4 billion. Alaska has generated $6.8
million. The legislature wants a good strong university that is
as self-sufficient as possible. If and when this occurs, it will
help the university grow into the future.
9:25:23 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND asked the will of the committee.
9:25:34 AM
At ease
9:25:50 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report SJR 8 from committee with
individual recommendations.
CHAIR HOLLAND found no objection and SJR 8 was reported from the
Senate Education Standing Committee.